National budget 9.29.09

Tuesday

Sep 29, 2009 at 12:01 AMSep 29, 2009 at 12:29 AM

GateHouse News Service National Budget
For 9/29/09 editions

Here are the top national stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/. Please submit stories below no later than 6 pm local time, unless you have breaking news that is changing significantly.

SHOESTRING LIVING: Check out our new weekly frugal column, Shoestring Living, part of our growing Stretched portfolio. This week: Get accountable and stay within the budget. By Molly Logan Anderson.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x1073705483/Shoestring-Living-Get-accountable-and-stay-within-the-budget

MORNING MINUTES: We've expanded what we're offering in Morning Minutes to provide your paper with more options and to give your readers a couple more interesting tidbits. It now includes Word of the Day, Web Site of the Day, Number to Know, This Day in History, Today’s Featured Birthday and Daily Quote.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/morning_minutes

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Weekly food rail, leads with mastering your family’s food bill, and includes an easy recipe for chopped livers, a tip of the week on preventing kitchen fires, Slender Wines, a mini-food quiz and more.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/homepage/x576526585/Food-for-Thought-Can-you-master-your-family-s-food-bill

ACT TESTING: Acing the ACT leads to stress for teens - SPRINGFIELD – The ACT test can be one of the most stressful tests for high school students. Fretting over how to prepare for the exam colleges use to decide whether to admit students, or what to do if a score isn’t as high as desired, can be dizzying for a student who already has plenty of schoolwork he or she already has to do. By Aimee LaPlant of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/education/x1128387092/Acing-the-ACT-leads-to-stress-for-teens

SHOESTRING LIVING: Check out our new weekly frugal column, Shoestring Living, part of our growing Stretched portfolio. This week: Get accountable and stay within the budget. By Molly Logan Anderson.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x1073705483/Shoestring-Living-Get-accountable-and-stay-within-the-budget

FAMILY-FRIENDLY WRESTLING: Couple brings a Christian touch to pro wrestling -- When the ³Judge² steps out of the squared circle he becomes William Love, co-founder of Total X-Treme Wrestling Entertainment. The wrestling matches include everything you might see in a televised wrestling match. But there are a few exceptions. ³This is a Christian-based organization and we don¹t allow any profanity or obscene gestures,² Love said.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x593058832/Couple-brings-a-Christian-touch-to-pro-wrestling

PAWPAWS: Search the pawpaw patch for sweet goodness -- The flavor of the pawpaw, also nicknamed the "prairie banana" or "poor man's banana," has been described as a cross between a banana and a mango. The fruits can be substituted in any recipe that calls for bananas. Banana (pawpaw) bread recipes work well, but don¹t expect it to taste exactly like banana bread.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x576527822/Search-the-pawpaw-patch-for-sweet-goodness#

HAIR LOSS: After hair loss, women find confidence in wigs - More than 20 million American women annually are affected by thinning hair or hair loss, often as a side effect from a medical treatment or prescription drug. Many women seek help at the Paula Young/Especially Yours store, which is at the catalog company’s headquarters in West Bridgewater, Mass. By Dina Gerdeman.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x576527778/After-hair-loss-women-find-confidence-in-wigs
- With photos

DOGGY DOCTOR: Yorkie’s full-time job is bringing smiles to nursing home residents - As Micki Mocha embarks on her day at the Crawford Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Fall River, Mass., the first stop on her daily rounds is the rehabilitation gym, where she sees one of her favorite residents, Bernard O’Donnell. A smile takes over his face as the canine candy striper kisses the Alzheimer’s patient’s upturned chin. By Linda Murphy.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x1128386972/Yorkie-s-full-time-job-is-bringing-smiles-to-nursing-home-residents
- With photos of the cute little gal

DANNY HENLEY: Charged up over simple light bulbs -- In a little over a month we will reach the 130th anniversary of a significant scientific breakthrough that has affected the lives of everyone reading these words. Any idea what it is? If you guessed Thomas Edison¹s discovery of a material suitable to serve as a filament that would give off good light when electricity flowed through it, you are right.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x593057754/Danny-Henley-Charged-up-over-simple-light-bulbs

DIANA BOGGIA: Aggressive behavior in a child never acceptable
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/family/x1128387332/Diana-Boggia-Aggressive-behavior-in-a-child-never-acceptable

Entertainment

SUDOKU: Puzzles for October (463-490) are available for download. Previous puzzles are linked to in this file, or visit our Puzzles category.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/puzzles/x576519466/Sudoku-puzzles-463-490-October-puzzles

DIRECTING DEBUT: Ricky Gervais makes directorial debut with 'Invention of Lying' -- Best known as the star and co-creator of the British TV shows “The Office” and “Extras,” Ricky Gervais is the star, co-writer, co-producer and, for the first time, co-director of the new comedy “The Invention of Lying,” which opened Friday. He spoke at the Toronto International Film Festival.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x1991987031/Ricky-Gervais-makes-directorial-debut-with-Invention-of-Lying

BEHIND THE CAMERA: Drew Barrymore steps behind camera for 'Whip It' -- Drew Barrymore is excited. Or maybe she’s just an excitable gal. Getting ready to celebrate her third decade of acting in films (she appeared in “Altered States” two years before charming audiences in “E.T.”), Barrymore has now stepped behind the camera for the first time, to direct the
coming-of-age Roller Derby comedy “Whip It."
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x1789529154/Drew-Barrymore-steps-behind-camera-for-Whip-It

VIDEO VAULT: ŒManson,¹ ŒHenry¹ capture terrible reality of killers – The biggest folk hero in modern American film is the serial killer. Cold, calculating and, above all, cool, the serial killer is always one step ahead of the law and constantly working on new and imaginative ways to dispense with his victims.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/dvds_cds/x576527562/Video-Vault-Manson-Henry-capture-terrible-reality-of-killers

WADE MCINTYRE: The conservative/liberal quiz -- Even with all the wars going on around the world, it's hard to overlook the Civil War on American soil -- the headbanging battle between liberals and conservatives. Which side should you be on? Take this quiz to find out.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x576527895/Wade-McIntyre-The-conservative-liberal-quiz

WENDY MURPHY: Is it always racism when recipient of criticism is black? -- How exactly does one criticize the president without being accused of racism? I’ve written a few columns making it clear President Barack Obama needs to do more on violence against women and children, in response to which someone always manages to accuse me of being racist.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x1128386930/Wendy-Murphy-Is-it-always-racism-when-recipient-of-criticism-is-black
- With column mug

SHARON DUNTEN: Are we turning our backs on sick, elderly, children? – As the most charitable nation in the world, the U.S. gives billions for disaster relief, hunger, diseases and shelter. Other nations and people seek out the U.S. for relief in despair and also for protection. Yet, when it comes to providing health care to our own citizens, it becomes a political
firestorm of enormous proportion.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/missouri/x576526347/Sharon-Dunten-Are-we-turning-our-backs-on-sick-elderly-children

PETER COSTA: Word of new job casts ray of hope - A young colleague of mine just got landed a new, meaningful job despite this recession. It isn’t a step back for him or a part-time posting. Nor is it one of those ill-defined, assistant-to-the-assistant positions that lurk on the Periodic Table of Jobs somewhere between iron and zinc.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/columnists/x1699603348/Peter-Costa-Word-of-new-job-casts-ray-of-hope
- With column mug

ED WELLS: Comics can draw kids into reading - Disney has bought Marvel. This merger could stifle new ideas and reduce Marvel and Disney to making “safe” projects. It could also, however, have the opposite effect. The merger of two groups of popular and creative minds could spur new projects and exciting art. And it could get kids reading more. Reading, whether it is Tolstoy or Iron Man, is the exercise to a fit and imaginative mind.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/arts/x1699603693/Ed-Wells-Comics-can-draw-kids-into-reading

EDITORIAL: Moscow, Beijing needed to checkmate Iran - Iran exports the tools of terrorism. That's why so many nations around the world get so nervous about Iran developing a nuclear arsenal. And because no modern nation is immune to the horrors of terrorism - not the United States, not Russia, not Great Britain, not Israel, not even China - all of them have a vested interest in Iran remaining nuke-free. They should want to discourage a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, as well. An editorial from the Peoria Journal Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/editorials/x366031301/Editorial-Moscow-Beijing-needed-to-checkmate-Iran

EDITORIAL: Chicago is pulling out all of the stops in Denmark this week in trying to land the 2016 Summer Olympics for the Windy City. Oprah will be in Copenhagen trying to woo the International Olympic Committee, as will the governor, the mayor and the nation’s transportation secretary, who happens to be from Peoria. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will be in town. They’ll find out on Friday how successful they were in their competition against Madrid, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro. We view this bid with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. An editorial from the Peoria Journal Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/editorials/x1699601660/Editorial-An-Olympian-effort-from-the-Windy-City

News

FINGERPRINTING & SCREENING: Fingerprinting bolsters background screenings - SPRINGFIELD – Another layer of background check security is now available to programs that work with children, the elderly and people with disabilities thanks to federal legislation. The program, which would involve a fingerprint check, authorizes the FBI to provide a national criminal history background to qualifying agencies. By John Reynolds of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1699603852/Fingerprinting-bolsters-background-screenings

BANK ROBBER: Police nab woman suspected in 6 bank holdups in 3 states - A weeklong manhunt for a suspected serial bank robber ended Monday with the capture of Heather Brown. Brown is a suspect in a spree of six bank robberies that started Monday in Montville and continued on consecutive days at banks in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In all cases, a woman fitting Brown’s description passed a note and threatened use of a bomb. By Greg Smith.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/connecticut/x366031329/Police-nab-woman-suspected-in-6-bank-holdups-in-3-states
- With photo, sidebar

SCHOOL FIGHT: Framingham High School fight video posted to Facebook - In a modern twist on the schoolyard brawl, about 40 kids at Framingham High School sent text messages to each other so they could watch two students fight after school. Some then posted videos of the fisticuffs on Facebook.com. By John Hilliard.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/news/x1002020520/Framingham-High-School-fight-video-posted-to-Facebook

Business / Ag

PAUL A. EISENSTEIN: Volkswagen minivan follows Chrysler mold – Volkswagen took the surprising step of partnering with Chrysler to come up with its own version of the American company¹s popular Town & Country minivan. Those hoping the 2010 Routan is another Microbus will be disappointed. It is very much in the mold of the latest Chrysler product, which means it has many of its good and a few of its bad points.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/business/x1692322210/Paul-A-Eisenstein-Volkswagen-minivan-follows-Chrysler-mold

MAKING CENTS: Americans have too little life insurance - September is officially life insurance awareness month, something that should be on your mind if you have dependants who rely on you for financial support. By John P. Napolitano.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/business/x1789529335/Making-Cents-Americans-have-too-little-life-insurance
- Art: Column mug

FINE PRINT: New federal law helps protect credit card customers - Figuring out how to protect your credit score has always been a somewhat mysterious process. Fortunately, Congress made it a little easier for consumers by passing a new credit card law in the spring. The law - known as the Credit CARD Act - gives card holders more notice about rate changes and a little more flexibility to pay their bills on time. By The Patriot Ledger.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/business/x576523718/Fine-Print-New-federal-law-helps-protect-credit-card-customers

CHECKOUT LANE: Picking a fence for your home - Good fences may make good neighbors, but finding a good fence takes more than just an adage. It requires legwork. By Brent Lang.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/business/x593054882/Checkout-Lane-Picking-a-fence-for-your-home
- Art: 2 photos

BIZ BITS: Weekly business rail, with items on breast-cancer awareness at work, BBB advice on “friendly” fraud and more.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/business/x576515567/Biz-Bits-Think-pink-on-the-job-and-raise-awareness-of-breast-cancer

Sports

NASCAR PAGE: Three of a kind.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/homepage/x576525743/NASCAR-page-Three-of-a-kind

DEER SEASON: Keep these things in mind as deer season arrives - SPRINGFIELD – With archery deer-hunting season opening Thursday, there’s a lot to think about. There are new rules and regulations to consider and follow. And as with any pastime, the deeper one delves into the subject, the more complicated it can become. By Chris Young of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/sports/x1991989409/Keep-these-things-in-mind-as-deer-season-arrives